Plant the Future, in collaboration with the Miami Beach Botanical Garden, is hosting a naming competition for their recently donated “Unicorn” planter figurine. The statue is symbolic of the blossoming relationship between Plant the Future and the Miami Beach Botanical Garden as they work together to make a positive impact on the community through art and nature. The donation was celebrated on May 17th with an opening reception welcoming the sculpture to the 2.6 acre garden.
Peering out through a drove of sub-tropical foliage, the life-size Unicorn adds an element of magic to the garden, inspiring wonder and transporting patrons from the urban neon glitz and glam of South Beach to a tranquil oasis of nature and beauty.
Plant the Future, known city-wide for carefully incorporating beautiful plant-life into stunning works of art, used living Sansevieria Cylindrica as the mane and tail of the figure. The Angola-native succulent plant, marked by its striped, subcylindrical, spear-like leaves, is famous amongst flora enthusiasts for its resiliency, having been known to withstand hurricane-strength winds. By blending the mythos of the physical form of the unicorn with the natural silhouettes of the Sansevieria Cylindrica, the fabled creature is literally brought to life.
In a joint effort to engage the local community, the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens and Plant the Future are hosting a contest to name the Unicorn. For the first stage of the contest, children under the age of 18 are invited to suggest names for the Unicorn sculpture until Sunday, June 17th. A panel associated with the Garden will then select a short list from the entries for the public to vote on online for the winning name.
In addition to donating the sculpture and the naming contest, Plant the Future and the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens have announced plans to create regular children’s workshops at the garden in an effort to exercise their imaginations, connect with nature, and foster Biophilia. Biophilia is the innate love for the natural world, deeply rooted in our biology and felt universally by humankind. If you’ve ever had your breath taken away by a sunset, felt small and young standing next to a towering ancient tree, or felt in-tuned with the universe watching the waves roll in an out, you have experienced Biophilia.
“One of our goals in collaborating with the Miami Beach Botanical Garden is for children to interact with plants and see the magic that a garden holds,” said Paloma Teppa, artist and Plant the Future founder and Creative Director. “I can’t imagine a better garden for our Unicorn to discover and for all visitors, artists, and kids to be inspired to create, dream, laugh, and enjoy the magic! May this be the first seed for our growing relationship with Miami Beach Botanical Garden. Together we believe in a greener, more sustainable and conscious Miami.”
